The toll of victims from the double earthquake that shook northern Venezuela on June 24 continues to increase. Authorities reported this Monday that the official death toll rose to 3,535 people, while 16,740 were injured, making the tragedy the deadliest seismic disaster recorded in the country in more than a century.

The new report, presented by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, reflects an increase of 193 deaths compared to the balance disclosed a day before. In contrast, the number of injured remains unchanged, while emergency teams continue the search, recovery of bodies and care for the victims.

The authorities maintain at 6,462 the number of people rescued since the earthquakes occurred, of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, which impacted Caracas, La Guaira and six other northern Venezuelan states seconds apart. La Guaira continues to be the entity most affected by the devastation.

The official report also indicates that 17,854 people lost their homes, so the Government set up 82 temporary camps to house the affected families. Likewise, 856 damaged buildings are reported, of which 190 completely collapsed.

Furthermore, despite the establishment of a telephone line and an official platform to report missing persons, the Government maintains at 157 the number of people whose whereabouts remain unknown. However, citizen organizations dedicated to locating victims claim to have received more than 30,000 reports from relatives who have not yet been able to establish contact with their loved ones, a difference that has raised questions about the scope of the official record.

As the chances of finding survivors diminish, the emergency enters a new phase focused on recovery and reconstruction. The United Nations has intensified coordination with Venezuelan authorities to expand international assistance, while several foreign teams begin to withdraw after concluding search and rescue operations.